BRITISH FERNS, 
TRUE MAIDENHAIR. Capriius VENERIS. 
tum Capillus Veneris, Linneus. B.F. 1. 
The caudex is black, scaly and slowly creeping : 
fronds make their appearance in May, are fully 
grown in July and remain green until winter: the 
stalk is smooth, black and shining; the leafy part of 
the frond is very irregular, and consists of a number 
f leaf-like divisions, which are generally rather fan- 
shaped or wedge-shaped, but they are very diversified : 
these divisions or pinnules are of a delicious green 
our, and each stands on the most delicately slender 
footstalk, more like a hair than the stem or petiole 
h usually supports a leaf: when these divisions 
ules are barren their. outer margin is notched — 
€ @ saw, but they are very commonly fertile, and 
are divided into lobes; each lobe is blanched 
and loses its sweet green colour, and is folded over; 
and on the folded part are the small round clusters of 
seeds, perfectly concealed from sight, except when 
Mo. Bot. Garden, 
